Improvement in metallic fence-posts



W. J. LEWIS. Metallic Fence-Post.

Patented Feb. 11, 1879.

r I l I I l l I I I l I l I I I I I I I I I l I I I I I I I I I lag "win-ewes.

N4 PETERS. PHQTO-LITHQGRAPHER. WASHINGTON D c.

UNITED STATES: PATENT OFFIon.

WILLIAM J. LEWIS, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN METALLIC FENCE-POSTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 212,238, dated February 11, 1879; application filed October 8, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. Lnwrs, of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Manufacture of Metallic Fence-Posts; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, in which- Figures 1 and 2 are, respectively, side and sectional views of my improved post. Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the mode of manufacture. Figs. 5 and 6 show the manner of driving the post. Fig. 7 shows a sectional perspective of the lower part of post.

This invention has relation to metallic fenceposts; and consists in the novel construction thereof, as hereinafter described and specifically claimed.

The post is made of plain sheet metal or metallic plate, having its lower edge, a, inclined toa point, a shoulder, 12, extending laterally from one edge, and the bodyA tapering gradually to the upper end. The whole is then concaved about as shown in Fig. 1.

The shoulder b is for the purpose of driving the post into its position, and this may be done either by striking directly upon the shoulder, as shown in Fig. 5, or by striking a ring-block, (I, slipped down over the post and resting on the shoulder, as shown in Fig. 6. The inclined edge causes the post to give a shear-cut in the soil, while the concaving of the post gives the edge an augerlike power, rendering the driving easy, and securing a good hold for the base. 1

One or more spurs, c, are struck out of the meta-l above the point, as shown, which easily penetrate the soil, but resist any tendency to withdrawal. These may be struck in alternate directions or not, as desired.

Thus constructed the post is light, cheap, durable, easily driven, and once placed is not liable to dislodgment by storms or shocks. They are manufactured most readily by severing a blank plate in any of the modes shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, or in any analogous manner in which the post-blanks are cut from the bar without waste.

In use, these posts maybe adapted to board fences bv punching suitable openings or slots at appropriate heights, or they may be used for wire fences by punching or cutting suitable openings or notches in them for the attachment of the wire. In fact, by well-known means they can be adapted to any kind of fence whatsoever in which posts are required.

I am aware that a fence-post having a lateral driving-shoulder, broadly, is not new; but my post is constructed with a special form of shoulder, the sheet metal being cut away on one side, thereby exposing a horizontal edge of the post, so that the force of the blow in driving shall fall on the metal in the most advantageous manner-namely, longitudinally on a transverse edge-and the post being all in one piece, the blows do not weaken the structure.

I am also aware that combination-posts of iron body and cast-metal base, of wood body and wrought or cast base, united in various ways, have been made, and some exhibiting lateral driving-shoulders intheir broad signification; but in none of them is found my above-described continuous wrought-metal post, with its integral shoulder formed in the way I have set forth. Also, metal posts have been made with inclined penetrating edges and points; but the inclination has been double from each side toward the middle. I out the edge so as to incline from one side clear over to the other, to give a shear-cut into the ground, and this form of point permits the cutting of the posts without scraps or waste.

. What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. The described wrought-metal one-piece fence-post, having the body A and lateral driving-shoulder b, and the ground point formed by cutting the metal from one side edge to the other on an inclined line, and the whole concaved, substantially as described,

whereby, while Waste in making is avoided, i In testimony that I claim the foregoing I the point acquires an auger-like quality for have hereunto set my hand this 6th day of penetrating the ground. October, 1878.

2. In a metallic fence-post, the combination, with the body, of a concave base having the WILLIAM J. LEWIS. described single inclined spiral cutting-edge and one or more retaining-spurs struck up out Witnesses:

ofthe body of the base Within its edges, sub- THOS. J. MOTIGHE, stantially as described. THouAs OoNNoLLY. 

